Belgium striker Christian Benteke scored the fastest World Cup qualifying goal after seven seconds against Gibraltar. The 25-year-old’s strike is also the quickest goal in Belgium’s history. The Crystal Palace striker pounced on a loose ball from the kick-off and dribbled into the box before scoring with a left-footed shot. The goal beat the record of 8.3 seconds set by San Marino’s Davide Gualtieri against England in November 1993. Benteke added his second before half-time with Axel Witsel also on the scoresheet as Belgium led 3-0 at half-time at the Estadio Algarve in their 2018 World Cup Group H qualifier. Belgium won the match 6 – 0 away in Gibraltar.

Zambia president Edgar Lungu has told the football association to employ a local coach for the national team, Chipolopolo. The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) had been looking to employ an expatriate coach and even conducted interviews for the position. Former South Africa coach Gordon Igesund was tipped for the job after impressing in interviews. But Lungu said: “Forget about an expatriate coach. We can do with an indigenous [coach].” Lungu also offered his support to interim Chipolopolo coach Wedson Nyirenda, who was appointed as a replacement for George Lwandamina last month, saying “he is doing well”. That assessment came after Zambia’s 2-1 defeat by Nigeria in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Lungu remains optimistic about Zambia’s chances of booking their place at the tournament in Russia. “We can make it. Others have made it before us. Now it is our time and I ‘m sure we will make it,” he added. “Our eyes should be on the ball, we are a winning side and we should strive to win until we get to Russia.”

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Daniel Amokachi shared a picture of himself and his twins on facebook. The boys are so grown and are footballers taking after their father. Amokachi won the African Cup of Nations and Olympic gold medal with Nigeria. He also represented Nigeria at two world cup finals. He played professional football for Ranchers Bees, Club Brugge, Besiktas and Everton where he won the English FA cup. Amokachi wrote on facebook: “Visiting my sons in Istanbul. They are eligible to play officially for #besiktas u21 soon and have been training with the first team. See me standing on my toes so that I would not look so small in between them! “

Continue reading →

Spain defender Gerard Pique will retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup following a controversy surrounding his shirt sleeves. The Barcelona player, 29, is unpopular with some Spain fans for his support of independence for Catalonia. In Sunday’s 2-0 win in Albania, his shirt – unlike his colleagues – did not have a Spanish flag trim on the sleeve. After social media criticism, the Spanish FA released a statement to explain why, and defend Pique. Pique was wearing the long-sleeved shirt – as was Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos – which does not feature the flag trim. The statement said that Pique had cut the sleeves off his shirt, “the same way other players have done on many occasions,” for comfort. Pique, who won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, said: “I have tried everything, but I can’t bear this anymore. “Today’s issue of the sleeves is the the straw that breaks the camel. They’ve managed to make me lose the excitement of coming here and although after Russia I’ll only be 31, I’ll leave.”

The above photo shows Wales players squad photograph prior to the kick-off in their Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia. It is quite starnge, What do you make of it?

The Super Eagles of Nigeria today at the Levy Nwanawasa Stadium, Ndola defeated the Chipolopolo of Zambia 2 – 1 to kick start their Russia 2018 world cup qualifier series on a promising note. Alex Iwobi opened scoring for Nigeria in the 32nd minute while Kelechi Iheanacho scored Nigeria’s second goal in the 42nd minute to give the Super Eagles a comfortable lead going into the break. Zambia got a goal back in the 71st minute through Collins Mbesuma who capitalised on a slip from Super Eagles defender Omeruo to drive a low shot past goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. Nigeria host Algeria next in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in November.

Continue reading →

On Sunday the 2nd of October, 2016, the Rangers International FC of Enugu (a.k.a The Flying Anthelopes) defeated the visiting El Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri by four unreplied goals to lift the Nigerian Professional League trophy. This was exactly 32 years after Rangers last lifted the trophy. The match was played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu (nicknamed The Cathedral by football fans). This soccer cathedral of Nigeria was filled to the brim as the Rangers fans from all over the world led by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State came out to support their darling team. Legendary supporters songs of Enugu Rangers roared from the stands all through – Holy, Holy, Holy, Enugu Rangers, Another Champions!!! and Kpebe Ekpere Ka Rangers Merie were topmost amongst the songs rendered from the popular Obiagu stand especially.

Continue reading →

The Nigerian delegation to Sunday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia arrived in Ndola minutes afternoon on Saturday. Nigeria’s Youth and Sports Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung led the delegation, which included NFF President Amaju Pinnick, NFF vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, some Members of the National Assembly, some Members of the NFF Executive Committee, some Members of NFF Management led by Deputy General Secretary Emmanuel Ikpeme, few NFF Staff, some officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, some directors of the League Management Company, a number of stakeholders and representatives of the media.

Continue reading →

Francesco Guidolin made a surprise appearance in the same hotel where his successor Bob Bradley was about to be unveiled as Swansea manager on Friday afternoon. Italian Guidolin, sacked by the Swans on Monday, spoke to a Swansea official – who explained the press conference was due to take place – before walking away. It is understood Guidolin had arrived for a meeting of his own and had not realised Bradley would be present. Swansea usually hold press conferences at their own Liberty Stadium, but that was unavailable on Friday due to the Ospreys’ rugby match against Cardiff Blues.

Tiger Woods has confirmed his entry for next week’s Safeway Open in California. The 40-year-old had always intended to make his comeback from injury at Silverado in Napa, having not played a competitive round since August of last year. Woods has been sidelined by serious back problems for a number of years, having undergone three operations during a 19-month spell.

Continue reading →

World champion pole vaulter Shawn Barber was right to compete at the Olympic Games despite testing positive for cocaine ingested during a sexual encounter, says Athletics Canada. The 22-year-old avoided a two-year ban after successfully arguing that the drug was passed on through “kissing”. An independent arbitrator ruled no fault or negligence by Barber, who finished a lowly 10th in Rio. Athletics Canada called the decision “fair and reasonable”.

Continue reading →

You wonder where he is. Well, former Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is the latest target for new Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock. Chamakh, 32, did not have his contract renewed by Crystal Palace last season, so is available as a free agent. The Moroccan had a three-year spell at Arsenal, plus loan spells at West Ham United and Palace before joining the Eagles on a permanent basis in 2014. The Bluebirds are expected to confirm the signings of Junior Hoilett and Sol Bamba as well as Chamakh, in time for the opening game under Warnock at home to Bristol City, on Friday, October 14.

Italy have sent striker Graziano Pelle home after he refused to shake the coach’s hand after being brought off against Spain. The ex-Southampton forward, who now plays in China, was substituted by Giampiero Ventura in the 1-1 draw against Spain on Thursday. But he walked past Ventura and ignored his outstretched hand as he made his way off the pitch for Ciro Immobile. Italy were 1-0 down at the time. “Being part of the national team begins with showing respect for the staff, team-mates and fans,” read an Italian Football Federation statement. “The head coach together with the FIGC has decided to exclude Graziano Pelle due to his disrespectful behaviour.”

Eibar team-mates Antonio Luna and Sergi Enrich have apologised after a video appeared online of them having sex with a woman. The players released a joint statement saying that they were not responsible for leaking the video of a “private act involving fully consenting adults”. The pair were dropped for Eibar’s friendly against fellow La Liga side Leganes on Wednesday. The statement, signed by both players, added: “We hope this incident won’t degrade the image of the club or of our team-mates.” They added they were sorry if the video “offended our fans and the city of Eibar in general”

Tyson Fury has started attending sessions with a psychologist after delaying his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko for a second time. The heavyweight’s career has been disrupted by allegations surrounding his reported use of both recreational and performance-enhancing drugs, while those close to the world champion have said he has been suffering with depression. Press Association Sport understands Fury began seeing a psychologist soon after the announcement that he was “medically unfit” to take on Klitschko in the slated October 29 fight. “Medical specialists have advised that the condition is too severe to allow him to participate in the rematch and that he will require treatment before going back into the ring,” a statement from his management Hennessy Sports at the time read. “Tyson will now immediately undergo the treatment he needs to make a full recovery.”

Continue reading →

Brazil coach Tite says Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho is in front of Chelsea’s Willian for the national side because he is a “magician”. Chelsea midfielder Willian was selected for Tite’s first two games in charge of Brazil, a 3-0 win over Ecuador and a 2-1 win over Colombia, but Coutinho produced impressive performances off the bench. The Liverpool 24-year-old has also started the new season strongly, scoring four goals in eight appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side, and Tite admitted he is in agreement with the Anfield supporters’ nickname for Coutinho.

Continue reading →

Anderson Esiti’s first half goal and an Alex Iwobi brace in the second half gave the Super Eagles a morale boosting 3-0 win over Nigeria Professional Football League side Plateau United in a warm up game on Wednesday inside the National Stadium, Abuja. Coach Gernot Rohr lined up his wards for the practice game as he intensifies Nigeria’s preparations for Sunday’s all important Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Zambia in Ndola. After struggling to click into gear in the early parts of the game, Belgium based Esiti slotted home from close range after some neat build up play from the midfield exposed Plateau United’s defense.

Continue reading →

One of Russia’s largest sports clubs is awarding medals to fans who travelled to Berlin to watch its basketball team win a major tournament, but it’s caused anger among people who say it’s an insult to the country’s war veterans. CSKA Moscow beat Turkey’s Fenerbahce at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena in mid-May to win basketball’s Euroleague final, and the club has now said that anyone who can prove they were there is eligible for a medal “For the Capture of Berlin”, Dozhd TV reports. This follows last year’s trip to the finals in Spain, where fans were given medals “For the Capture of Madrid”, despite CSKA only finishing third. Supporters who bought tickets through the club will automatically be sent a medal, while those who got to the arena by other means need to show ticket stubs or social media photos, “and then we are happy to reward the heroes,” the club says.

Continue reading →

Russian high jumper Anna Chicherova has been stripped of her Beijing 2008 bronze medal for doping, but keeps her London 2012 gold. The 34-year-old is one of 98 athletes caught by the International Olympic Committee’s recent re-analysis of doping samples from the Beijing and London Games. Russia’s 2004 Olympic champion Yelena Slesarenko could be handed the bronze, although she would also need her samples re-analyzed.

Manchester United full-back Matteo Darmian could leave the club in January, says one of his advisers. According to ESPN, Darmian could leave having played just once under Jose Mourinho so far this season. Adviser Fausto Pari told Radio CRC: “We’ve got to see what United want to do. Italian clubs have tried [to sign him], but United closed the door immediately. “He’s playing little or nothing and it’s a shame because he’s an Italy international. If the situation doesn’t change by January, we’ll have to think of something. He risks also losing his place in the national team.”